IN REVIEW: Disturbed - "Believe"

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Reminds Me Of:
The last album, except way more melodic and way less psychotic.

High On:
* Singer David Draiman's much-improved vocal style, utilizing actual singing much more than screaming
* Lead single "Prayer" and (hopefully) future single "Remember" good examples of the perfect mix of heaviness and melody

Low On:
* Improved melody seems to come at the expense of musicianship, which often sound thin and soulless, thanks partly to the obvious usage of ProTools-type programming
* Subject matter singular in nature; nearly all tracks deal with believing in yourself, living your own life, yadda yadda yadda.
* Cheese factor cranked on closing track "Darkness"; the cello and piano driven ballad does not jive well with the rest of the album, ending on a sour note

Bottom Line:
'Believe' has enough good tracks on it to please fans, but overall sorely lacks the violent, ballsy energy of 'The Sickness'.

5 MEDIOCRE
September 17, 2002 • Reprise/Warner

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